Folding and nonfolding marine craft



y 1944- v c. H. CLARK 2,353,013

- FOLDING AND NONFOLDING MARINE CRAFT Filed April 25, 1940 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 July 4, 1944. c. H. CLARK FOLDING AND NONFOLDING MARINE CRAFT Filed April 25, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 67mm 5.9 bi ls/(ELL (L/wk ATTORNEYS.

o O O o QSPN July 4, 1944.

C. H. CLARK FOLDING AND NONFOLDING MARINE CRAFT 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 25, 1940 Q INVENTOR.

Q 9 0 a 0 3w fla 3 CHARLES Mia/(ELL ['LARK July 4, 1944. c, H, CLARK FOLDING AND NONFOLDING MARINE CRAFT Filed April 23, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Cw: EL 6 fihska L [Zn/ex A TTORNEYS.

LhN mE Patented July 4, 1944- U NITED STATES i -A111NT O F NCE FOLDING AND- NONFOLDING Charles Haskell-Clark, San Francisco, Calif., as-

signor,

by -mesne assig ments; of one-half to Paul ,F. Schumacher, 'San'Francisco, Calif. Application AprilZS, 1940; Serial No. 331.150. 15 Claims. (0159 -2) The invention, in general, relates to relatively light-Weight boats which are nevertheless su-fiicien-tly rugged to withstand, heavy duty. The present invention constitutes an improvement of the marine craft of my invention disclosed and claimed in Letters Patent 'No. 2,111,555, granted to me on March 22, 1938, and reissued April 29, 1941, as Reissue N0.'211,l8'7, and this application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application entitled Folding and non-folding marine craft, filed September 23, 1939, and bear- 1 ing Serial No. 296,263, now Patent Number 2,243,247.

'A primary object of the present invention is to provide improved, inexpensive row boats and motor boats both .of the folding and rigid types I which are relatively inexpensive and simple to construct.

Another object of my invention is to provide craft of the above mentioned nature which are characterized by an improved bow insuring smoother movement of the craft through the water.

A still further object ofthe invention isto provide folding rowboats and 'motorboats which can time and which, when fo1ded,take up a minimum of space.

Another object of the invention'is to provide marine craft of the indicated nature which are sturdy and have maximum stability for widths andlen'gths of the craft.

Other objects of the invention, together with given some of 'the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of my-present improvement, as exemplified in row-boats andmotor boats; It is to be understood that I am not to be limited to theprecise embodiment shown, as the invention, as defined in theappended claims, can be embodied in apluralityand variety of-forms.

"Referring to the drawings: Figure lis aplan view of -a-preferredembodiment of the invention, as exemplified in a-row boat and as set up for-use in thewater; this View omitting the inner prote'ction strips at the ile-x ible joints for the sakeof clarity.

be set up and collapsedin a comparatively short panel andseat have been removed, the dotted lines indicating the shape of :the-sidesheets and the full lines the shapeof the bottom sheets of the craft.

Figure 5 isa fragmentary side view ofthestern o the row boat, the view being partly in se tion :to illus rat thefolding ch racter qrthefi xible f bric covering the interior su ace of the ste n nel. l

ieure i s elev tiqn l isw .o the tem pan of t e t ait 9f .my p e e t vcnt Qn, as e em fiedinarow boat,

Fi ure is a enl rsedai aem n ary det i n a t p sh e and a l aeie red fib board smp qr d i he ra b at ex m lifie ti .Q th p ef d em cd m n of, my invent n. this view a so s in t pref rtedim ans .fo o nect n thes e parts.

Figure 8 is a view taken on the :section line 1 .18 0f Fi re 4 ho i the ow bea nfoide (a the flexible joints forpurposes of clarity.

Figure 9 isa-view takenionthesectionline 9-9 of Figure 2. FigurelO is a view taken onthe line ,lli.. -I0 of Figure 2. Figurell is a plan ,view of apreferred embodi= ment of my inventiongas xemplifi fi a l ingmotor'boat, as set up iorluse in the Water,

' fbut without'the front seat placed "therein; this view omittingt e inner p ot c o w t tips for th sake of larity- Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the embodiment illustrated" inFlgure 1 1, but with the front seat installed; this view also omitting the 'inner protection strips for purpose of clarity. "Figure13-is aside elevational view of the embodiment shown 'in Figure "11 as the craft is set up for use inthe Water; this 'viewomitt'mgthe outer'protection strips *for the'sake of clarity.

"Fig. 14 is -a view taken on the section line 44-14 of Figure 12. I

--Figure"15 is a view t-aken on 1-5 -15 of Figure 12.- Figure 16 is a side elevation of ;a preferred embodiment of my invention; asex'emplifiedyin a folding motor -'-boat; this view showing the craft with the stern panel and seats-removed and 'infolded condition, the dotted line showi-ng indicating theshape oft-he side sheets and-the full "line showing "indicating the shape of the 'bottomsheets of the craft.

Figure 1'? is a View taken on theline -l'--'l--l-| of Figure--16; this view omitting the inner prothe section line tection strips at the flexible joints for purposes of clarity.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the stern panel of the motor boat exemplification of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the stern of the motor boat exemplification of my invention, this view showing the stern panel removed.

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention as exemplified in a folding row boat preferably comprises a hullformed to two sym-' metrical sections including a pair of bendable bottom sheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of bendable side sheets, and means flexibly joining each side sheet to a bottom sheet; each of said bottom sheets having a lateral inner edge which is substantially straight for a major portion of its length and which is slightly curved at one extremity and excessively curved at the other extremity, and having an outer lateral edge which is longitudinally convex from one end of the sheet to a point adjacent the other end, said outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet having an off-set portion extending from said point and a diagonal portion extending from said off-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet; each of said side sheets having an innerlateral edge which is longitudinally convex and equal in length to the convex portion of the outer lateral edge of a bottom sheet, each side sheet also having a diagonal end equal in length and extending in the same direction as the off-set portion of the outer lateral edge of a bottom sheet, and each side sheet having a straight outer lateral edge, together with means disposable in said hull for spreading said bottom sheets apart and for longitudinally twisting said bottom sheets, said means also effecting an 'outward bowing of said bottom sheets both laterally and longitudinally adjacent the bow of the boat, and a stern panel detachably fastened to said bottom and side sheets and transversely spanning the hull.

In its preferred form, the improvement/of my present invention, as exemplified in a folding motor boat preferably comprises a hull formed to two symmetrical sections including a pair of bendable bottomsheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of bendable side sheets, means flexibly joining each of said side sheets to a bottom sheet; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight for a major portion of its length and excessively curved at one extremity, and having a straight outer edge with a slight off-set portion adjacent one extremity and a diagonal portion extending from the off-set portion to the end of the sheet; each of said side sheets having a straight inner lateral edge equal inlength to the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, and each side sheet having a diagonal end equal in length to the length of the off-set portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, said side sheets each having a straight outer lateral edge, together with means removably disposable in the hull for longitudinally twisting said bottom sheets; and a stern pane1 detachably fastened to said side and bottom sheets and transversely spanning the, hull.

The rigid or non-folding boats of the present improvement, as exemplified in row boats and II and I2, a pair of bendable side sheets I3 and I4, and a stern panel I5. The two bottom sheets II and I2 are identical in shape and dimensions and, likewise, the two side sheets I3 and I4 are identical in shape and dimensions so that there is provided a hull which, when the craft is set up for use in the water, consists of two symmetrical sections as clearly depicted in Figure 1 of the drawings. The sheets II to I4 inclusive, preferably are cut from plywood, although any other suitable bendable material, such as water-pressed paper, galvanized iron or other sheet metal, may be used, as desired. Sheets I I and I2 are flexibly joined together on a longitudinal medial line of the hull and side sheets I3 and I4 are flexibly joined to the bottom sheets defining main fold lines of the craft. To this end, I preferably utilize opposed strips I6 and II of water-impervious canvas for flexibly connecting bottom sheets .II and I2 together along the keel line and four canvas strips I8, I9, 20 and 2| for hingedly connecting each side sheet to a bottom sheet. See Figure 9 of the drawings. Interior strips I6, I8 and 20 are preferably joined to the interior surfaces of the sheets by glue layers 22 and 23 for strip I6, layers 3| and 32 for strip I8, and layers II and 42 for strip 20, as these strips are not constantly subjected to water. Inner protection strips 24 and 25 of wood or metal are applied over the edges of strip I5, inner protection strips 33 and 34 over the edges of strip I8, and inner protection strips 43 and 44 over the edges of strip 20. While the inner protection strips 24, 25, 33, 34, 43 and 44 are shown in the drawings as relatively thick,

they are thus shown only for purposes of illustration but in actual practice such strips are flat or relatively thin and in no way interfere with the folding of the panels together when collapsing the craft since such panels are resilient Outer strips I'I, I9 and H however, are subject to constant immersion and therefore I prefer to join strips ll, I9 and 2I to the sheets by the use of water proof layers, preferably formed by saturating a carrier or bonding strip with asphalt emulsion, which may be applied 'to the sheets and allowed to solidify before the strips II, I9 and 2I are placed thereon. Thus carrier strips 26 and 2'! are placed beneath strip II, carrier strips 36 and 3 1 beneath strip I9, and carrier strips 46 and 41 beneathstrip 2|. Strips I'I, I9 and 2I are then placed over the carrier strips; strip I'I being forced into intimate contact underneath with the carried emulsion by fastening keel strips of wood or metal 28 and 29 over strip I1. Likewise exterior protection strips 38 and 39 are used to force canvas strip I9 against the carrier strips 36 and 31, and protection strips 48 and 49 are used for the same purpose for attaching canvas strip 2!. Thus all exterior canvas strips are provided with waterproof attachthat might penetrate the joint and otherwise damage the same, I preferably 's'lit' the inner "strip i6 transversely atspaced intervals -throughout its length, as indicated by the reference numeral 30, "see Figure 1' of'the drawings. --'Ihe central portions of strips 18 and 49, as well as the "central portionsof the canvas strips '20 and "21 ,are stitched throughout their length in order to avoidpullingthe-strips from the=sheets. It is "also to be noted "that I preferably slit the inner strips 18 and 29 transversely and at spaced in- 'tervals throughout their lengths, as indicated at 50 in Figures land 2 of the-drawings,in order to prevent accumulationofw'a-ter that'may penetrate the joint and force the glued strips 16, i8 and Eli away from the -surface-of the'panel to which they are glued whenthe craft is folded. As particularly shown-in Figures 2 and iof the drawings, each bottom sheet is so formed as to provide thereon an outer lateral edge 52 which is "longitudinally convex from one end to a point adjacent to its other endyas indicated by referencenumeral "55, at which point, the outer lat- 'eral'e'dge52 of the bottom sheets is providedwith an off-set portion '56 from which the edge extends diagonally, as at-l, to the adjacent end of the sheet. M of the folding row boat is so formed as to "provide thereon an inner lateral edge 53 which is equal to the lengthof'the convex portion "54 ofth'e outer lateral edgeo'fthebottom sheets'and likewisewhich has the same degree of convexity as the outer lateral edge of the bottom sheets. Moreover, each side'sheetis so-forined'as to pro vide thereon a diagonal end 59 which is equal in length to the offset portion 56 of the bottom sheets.

A floor-board 64 is provided with 'means for detachably fastening the same'in the hull, the fastening ineansbeing shown in enlarged detail in Figure '7 of the drawings. As shown in-Figure 1, I provide two strips 66 and iii which-are fastened to the inner surfaces of the bottom sheets 1! and I2 at opposite sides and at'equal distances from their inner lateral edges. The strips iifiand 61 are provided at spaced intervals with plates 68, arranged in opposed pairs, in each of which an aperture $9 is formed. The stripsfit and 61 are provided withlrecesses 1! below the apertures '69 of each plate 53, and the apertures and recesses together serve to receive tongues 12 carried by strips '53 fastened to the under side of the floor-board 64. By these means the floorboard can readily beinstalled inthe hull and "as readily removed therefrom, as it is only necessary to fit the tongues 12 of the strips 13 into'the holes formed by the apertures 69 Ofjplates'BB and recesses "ll of the strips 66 and 61.

The support for the removable'seat preferably includes an upright '41 whichis fitted into a recess formed in the floor boardi54, the'upright being slotted for receiving a *panel'id .whichis firmly but detachably secured to upright Tl by means of screw-bolts 19 which pass through the upright and the panel, as shown in Figurefi of the drawings. Panel l8 transverse-1y spans the hull and has an upright extension Tiat each end which bears against and is secured to "the side panels by a bolt 18' passing through the side panel from the outside and secured by wing nut 19. A two-part seat 81, which is 'foldable by virtue of the provision of hinges'82 connecting the same, .rests uponthe panel '18 and is additionally supported at each end, upon thegunwale of the 'craftby any suitable suspending means, such as short chains.83 and theclamps S las well as clamp st attached"totheseatby Each of the sidesheets l3 and dition.

canvas sheet 9! alsois simultaneously collapsed, asindicated by the showing of Figure 5- of the drawings. .the canvas sheet 9 :is fastened inside of the sternpanel andinterioriy'faces'the same.

'bolt and wing nut .81 having arms for engaging "the'side sheets at their outer lateral edges, or the-gunwale of the craft. In addition. to-seat 81, I also provide a removable seat '88 at the stern of the craft which conveniently is suspended by suitable bracketsBS, bolts and wing nuts 90. It

is apparent that the seat -88 likewise is readily installed and removed from the craft.

' In accordance with the present invention, as exemplified in a folding row-boat, a flexible con- -nection is provided between the side and bottom sheets-at the stern of the craft-in order-to facili- 'tate the folding of theboat after the stern panel 15, as well as the floor-board, seats 8! and 88 have been removed. Preferably, I employ asheet of water-proof canvas 91 for effectingthis fiex ible connection,- the sheet 8! extending from top td-bottom of the hull, and transversely thereof, toentirely close thesternof thecraft'when set up. Any suitable ineanssuch as adhesivamails "or rivets,:can=be employed for fastening-thecanvas sheet 91 in operative position. -It is clear that whenthecraft is set 'up'and in use in the water, the-canvas sheet 94 is in a-tautened-con- However, when the-craft is folded the It is to be particularly observed'that Any suitable meanscan be employedfor detachably fastening .stern panel '15 in position. To this end, I provide in thezem'bodiment of folding row boat illustrated, metaLclamps 92 on the stern panel, .all clamps being apertured for passing bolts .93 which-pierce the sidesheets and'receive wing nuts 94 for tightening the clamps in posi tion. .In addition to the clamps S'Z-on-the stern panel, the side sheets Hand 14 at thestern of the craft areprovided uwith angle clamps -95 adjacent the bottom of the hull and, irirnount- 'ing the stern panel, the legs of the clamps -35 are engaged by the panel so as to bringthe-stern panel into-contact-with the ends of the side and bottom sheetsprior to screwing 'down thawing nuts 94 to tighten the clamp asii;

Suitable oar-locks 960i standard construction are removably mounted on the gunwaleof the craftin opposed pairsand at desiredintervals along the gunwale, the attaching means for the .oar locks 96 conveniently consisting of :clamps 91, together with screw bolts and-wing nuts. It is clear that the positioning of the oar-llocks in opposed pairs on the gunwale of the craft can be varied to suit the requirements of :the particular user of the craft.

While it is. not essential, I provide reinforcing strips 98 at the bow of the craft,'these strips being arranged intransverse pairs and fastened to the inner surfaces of the bottom sheets ii and [2. Moreover, I also provide a hingafid at the bow of the craft to: facilitate'folding at this point when collapsing the hull, the hinge conveniently having extensions I69 thereon ,to-reim' force the bow further, sential. I

In the row' boat exemplification of the present improvement, gunwale strips are provided to strengthen the side sheetsat their outer lateral edges and also to provide an attractive .iinishing to the craft. In the folding exemplifica tions, two gunwalestrips areprovided for each side of the hull, as clearly shown inl igure l of the drawings. On one side,.a relatively long gun- 'Wale strip l'lll is fastenedto the side" panelld although this is not esadjacent its outer lateral edge, strip IIII extending the full length of the side sheet, and a relatively short gunwale strip I62 is fastened to the bottom sheet I2 adjacent to the diagonal portion 51 of its outer lateral edge. Similarly, I fasten a relatively long gunwale strip I03 to the side sheet I3 adjacent to its lateral outer edge and also fasten a relatively short gunwale strip I64 to the bottom sheet H adjacent to the diagonal portion 51 of its outer lateral edge. In the non-folding or rigid exemplifications of the row boat, continuous gunwale strips are fastened adjacent the outer lateral edges of the side and bottom sheets and extend the full length of the craft on both sides of the hull.

In Figures 11 to 19, inclusive, I have depicted an embodiment of the present invention as exemplified in a folding motor boat, and it is to be observed that this exemplification likewise is provided with a life-boat bow as in the case of the folding row boat. In describing the structure of this modification parts having functions common to both embodiments are numbered with the last two digits corresponding to the numbers of the related parts in th first embodiment de-' scribed. The folding motor boat likewise comprises a hull, formed to two symmetrical sections including a pair of bendable bottom sheets II I and H2, and a pair of bendable side sheets II3 and I I 4 all cut preferably from plywood although any other suitable bendabl material can be employed for fabricating the bottom and side sheets, such as a waterproof pressed paper or a bendable metal such as galvanized iron. The stern of the craft is closed with a stern panel II5 which, as more particularly described hereinafter, functions to flatten out the stern of the craft. As in the case of the folding row boat exemplification, the two bottom sheets III and H2 of the folding motor boat are flexibly connected together on a longitudinal medial line of the craft preferably by means of two canvas strips I I 6 and I I1 which are fastened interiorly and exteriorly of the hull, respectively. Moreover, each side sheet is flexibly connected-to a bottom sheet forming main fold lines on each side of the craft. As shown, side sheet H3 is flexibly connected to the bottom sheet I I I interiorly and exteriorly of the hull by means of canvas strips H8 and I I9, respectively, while side sheet I I4 is flexibly connected to the bottom sheet II2 interiorly and exteriorly of the hull by means of the canvas strips I28 and I2I, respectively, see Figure 15 of the drawings.

The flexible connections are preferably formed as outlined above in the description of my first embodiment. Thus, I provide inner protection strips I24 and I25 of relatively thin wood or metal which are applied over the edges of strip H6; also inner protection strips I33 and I34 over the edges of strip H8; and inner protection strips I43 and I44 over the edges of strip I20. Likewise, carrier strips I26 and I2! which are saturated with an asphalt emulsion are placed beneath outer strip II1; also carrier strips I36 and I31 are placed beneath strip H9; and carrier strips I46 and I41 beneath strip I2I. Moreover, keels I28 and I29, of wood or metal, are fastened over outer strip II1. Likewise, exterior protection strips I38 and I39 are used to force canvas strip II9 against the carrier strips 136 and I31, and protection strips I48 and I49 are used for the same purpose for attaching canvas strip I2I. These inner protection strips I24, I25, I33, I34 and I43, I44 are, in practice, so flat or thin that no interference with the folding of the panels of the craft together is bad As particularly illustrated in Figures 12 and 16 of the drawings, the two bottom sheets III and H2 are cut to the same shape and dimensions, and the two side sheets H3 and H4 likewise are cut to the same shape and dimensions in order that symmetrical section are provided when the craft is set up for use in the water. Preferably, each bottom sheet is so formed as to provide thereon an inner lateral edge having a substantially straight portion I5I nearly coextensive with its length and having one excessively curved extremity I53. Moreover, each bottom sheet is so out as to provide thereon an outer lateral edge having a portion I54 which is on a bias from one end of the sheet to a point adiacent the other end, said edge having a slight off set portion I56 as well as a short diagonal portion I51 extending from the offset portion I56 to the end of the sheet, where it meets the end of the curved extremity I53 of the inner lateral edge of the sheet. Each of the side sheets of the folding motor boat exemplification of the present invention preferably is so formed as to provide thereon an inner lateral edge I58 which is cut on the same bias as the portion I54 of the outer lateral edge of a bottom sheet and equal in length thereto, each of the side sheets having a short diagonal end I59 which is equal in length to the slight offset portion I56 of the bottom sheets. Moreover, each of the side sheets is so cut as to provide thereon an outer lateral edge I6I which is substantially straight for its entire length but slightly curved at the bow extremity of the craft, as indicated by reference numeral I63 in Figure 12 of the drawings.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide means disposable in the hull of th craft for effecting the setting up of the craft for use in the water and for simultaneously longitudinally twisting each bottom sheet from its longitudinal center outwardly to its extremities to afford a life-boat bow for the craft. These means preferably also effect a slight bowing of the bottom sheets, both laterally and longitudinall adlacent the bow end of the craft. The means that I preferably employ are similar to the means utilized for the same purpose in the folding row boat exemplification and include a floor board I64 which is adapted to be removably disposed in the bottom of the hull. Preferably, I detachably fasten the floor board in the hull by employing two longitudinally extending strips I66 and I61 which are secured to the inner surfaces of the bottom sheets III and H2 on opposite sides and at equal distances from their inner lateral edges. As in the case of the folding row boat, the strips I66 and I61 carry plates I68 arranged in opposed pairs at intervals along the strips, the plates I68 being apertured and the strips I66 and IE1 being recessed below the apertures of the plates to provid holes for the reception of tongues I12 carried on metal strips I13 fastened to the under side of the floor board I64. The floor board conveniently is cut away at suitable places, as at I14, to form foot rests for the users of the craft, see Figure 11 of the drawings. It is clear that placement of the fioor board in operative position in the hull is a relatively simple matter since all that is necessary is to fit the tongues I12 of strips I13 into the holes, as above described, and slip the floor board in place. At the longitudinal center of the craft, the bottom sheets I II and H2 are so spread that they will lie at an angle approximately 70 away from a vertical line through the exact center of the craft.

As illustrated particularly in Figures '11 and 12 I provide center, front and rear seats for the motor boat, together with suitable supporting means therefor so that the several seats can be removably disposed in the hull rapidly and easily. The support for the center seat preferably'includes an upright I'll which is fitted into a recess lo or aperture formed in the floor board 163 and which is slotted to receive a panel H8. The panel I18 is firmly but detachab-ly fastened to upright H! by means of screw bolts I19 and transversely spans the hull with its lateral edges bearing 1 against the inner surfaces of the side and bottom sheets maintaining the same in a spread apart condition. As shown, a center seat it! is provided and rests on the panel H8 and is addi tionally supported on the gunwale of the craft by means of suitable brackets I86, screws and wing nuts 181. While a one piece seat is shown, the seat IBI may be constructed of two pieces hing edly connected together, if desired. The boat is held in shape during use by the center seat 18*! :3 and supporting member 17-8. At the stern of the craft, I provide a removable seat i 88 which conveniently is suspended on the gun-Wale of the craft by suitable clamps IBS, bolts and wing nuts I951. Preferably, the clamps I89 carry a short pin I80, as shown in Figure 14 of the drawings, so that when the seat is installed in the hull the head of each pin I 80 is received on the hole of a small Washer m5 secured to the inner surface of the side panel. To remove seat "I88, 33 side sheets H3 and (M are sprung apart sufliciently to allow the heads of pins Hill to slip out of the washer openings. Similar means employed for fasteningthe center seat l8! in po sition. In addition to seatsat the center and stern of the craft, I also provide a removable seat 5315a for disposal adjacent the bow of the hull, together with means for detachably fastening the same in position. To this end, I-provide an upright'panel 118a which transversely spansthe hull and which is notched at the bottom for cooperating with a small, upstanding extension on floor board IE4. as shown in Figure 12 of the drawings. The pa ne Ilsa carries a small clamp i'l'la, one w" panel I'iBa is fitted into engagement with the floor board. Preferably, the clamp .llia is detachably secured to-the panel l'lSa by 'meansof screw bolts H911. The seat IBIa preferably is hin-gedlyfas:

is fastened to the-upper end of panel H811 well as to the seat I8ia so that the panelpartially supports the seat. At the other lateral edge of seat I8 Ia and at each side thereof ,1 provide a pair of clamps l86a for removably supporting the seat .1 I'Bla within the craft, clamps i85a. being rigidly fastened to the side sheets by means of spit bolts and wing nuts lBia. Thus I have provided a boat having a substantially rectangular n upon which, if desired an outboard motor maybe, 6'5 mounted, this rectangular stern providing sub stantially flat bottom at the rear of the beat, as is desirable in motor boat design.

Iclaim: I g y 1. A marine craft comprising a hull including a pair of bendable bottom sheets and a pairnf bench able side sheets, each of said bottomsheets'having a longitudinally convex outer lateral edge, an inner lateral edge which iscurved at one extremity and substantially straight at its other 7 extremity, and each of said side sheets having a longitudinally convex inner lateral edge, means joining said bottom sheets on a longitudinal medial line of the craft at their inner lateral edges, means joining each side sheet to a bottom sheet at their inner and outer lateral edges respectively, said bottom sheets being adapted to be longitudinally twisted when the craft is set up for use in the water, means in said hull bearing against the inner surfaces -of said bottom sheets at opposite sides of the hull; said means beingof such dimensions as to maintain said bottom sheets spread apart and -to maintain'the twist in said bottom sheets whereby the longitudinal extremities of said bottom sheets lie in substantially the same plane as the adjacent extremities of said connected side sheets at the bow of the craft, and flexible means closing the stern of the craft.

2. In "a'marine craft having a pair of sheets having opposed edges, waterproof means for join ing said sheets comprising an inner flexible strip extending across said edges and bonded to the inner surfaces of said sheets adjacent said edges, a'bonding strip applied to each of said sheets along the outer surface of each sheet and impregnated with a semi-solid waterproof bonding material, an outer flexible strip extending across said edges over both of said bonding strips and longitudinal rigid strip means applied to said outer flexible strip over'each of said'bonding strips and secured to said sheets'under pressure to bond said outer strip to said sheets with said bonding strips there between.

3. in a "marine craft having a pair of sheets having opposed edges, water-proof means for joining said sheets comprising an inner fiexib'l strip extending across said edges and bonded to the inner surfaces of said sheets adjacent said edges, a bonding stripapplied to each of said sheets along-the outer surface of each sheet and impregnated with a semi-solid water-proof bond ing material, an outer flexible strip extending across said edges over both of said'b'o-nding strips. and longitudinal rigid strip means applied to said outer 'flexible'strip over each of saidbond ing strips and secured to said sheets under pressure to bond said outer strip to said sheets with said bonding strips threbetween; said inner flexible strip being slit at spaced intervals to prevent water refits under the end 6f floor board when 5d tention between inner and 'outerfiexi'blestrips.

"4. Means for "joining cloth to a rigidboat'mein her to form a'waterproof joint comprising a bonding strip impregnated with a bonding material such as asphalt emulsion applied to said member,

tened to panel H811 and :to this end a hinge {its 57;- a'cl'o'th applied to said bonding strip and means for forcing said cloth against said bonding strip and said member. 5. A marine craft comprising a hull including a pair of bottom sheets, each of said bottom sheets having a substantially straight outer edge and joined bo'ttom'edges substantially straight over the major portion thereof curving to meet the outer edges thereof at thebow of said hull, and apair of triangular side sheets each 'jo'ined along e-dge'ther'eof to an outer edgeof one of said bottom sheets, the apex ends of said side sheets terminating adjacent the bow ends of said *bottorn' sheets, the basal ends of said side sheets terminal. ing in the plane of the stern ends of said bottom sheets and means for spreading said sheets to form and maintain said sheets into a hull ing a rectangular stern and a life boat bow. g

6. A marine craft comprising a hull including a pair of bottom sheetseach of ,said bottom sheets,

having asub'st'antially straight outer edge and joined bottom edges substantially straight over the major portion thereof curving to meet the outer edges thereof at the bow of said hull, and a pair of triangular side sheets each joined along one edge thereof to an outer edge of one of said bottom sheets, the apex ends of said side sheets terminating adjacent the bow ends of said bottom sheets, the basal ends of said side sheets terminating in the plane of the stern ends of said bottom sheets, and flexible means attached to said sheets at the stern end thereof to form a hull closure.

7. A marine craft comprisin a hull including a pair of bottom sheets, each of said bottom sheets having a substantially straight outer edge and joined bottom edges substantially straight over the major portion thereof curving to meet the outer edges thereof at the bow of said hull, and a pair of triangular side sheets each joined along one edge thereof to an outer edge of one of said bottom sheets, the apex ends of said side sheets terminating adjacent the bow ends of said bottom sheets, the basal ends of said side sheets terminating in the plane of the stern ends of said bottom sheets, flexible means attached to said sheets at the stern end thereof to form a hull closure and a rigid stern closure adjacent and outside of said flexible closure.

8. A foldable marine craft comprising a hull formed of two symmetrical sections including a pair of bendable bottom sheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of bendable side sheets, means flexibly joining each side sheet to a bottom sheet at the outer lateral edges of said bottom sheets; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight for a major portion of its length but which is slightly curved at one extremity and excessively curved at the other extremity, and having an outer lateral edge which is longitudinally convex from one end of the sheet to a point adjacent the other end thereof, said outer lateraledge of each bottom sheet having an off-set portion extending from said point and a diagonal portion extending from said off-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet; each of said side sheets having an inner lateral edge which is longitudinally convex and equal in length to the convex portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, each side sheet also having a diagonal end equal in length and extending in the same direction as the oif-set portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, and each side sheet having an outer lateral edge which is substantially straight throughout its length, said bottom sheets being adapted to be twisted longitudinally when setting up the craft for use in the water, means in. the hull bearing against the inner surfaces of said bottom sheets for holding said bottom sheets spread apart and for main. taining the twist therein, said means being of such extent and said bottom sheets being of such shape as to afford an outward bowing of said bottom sheets both laterally and longitudinally adjacent the bow of the hull, and a stern panel detachably fastened to said bottom and side sheets and transversely spanning the hull.

9. In a marine craft, a hull formed of two symmetrical sections and comprising a pair of bendable bottom sheets and a pair of bendable side sheets, means flexibly connecting said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, and means flexibly connecting each side sheet to a bottom sheet at the lateral outer edge of each bottom sheet; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight for a major portion of its length but which is slightly curved at one extremity and excessively curved at the other extremity, and having an outer lateral edge which is longitudinally convex from one end to a point adjacent the other end thereof, said outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet having an off-set portion extending from said point and a diagonal portion extending from said off-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet; each of said side sheets having an inner lateral edge which is longitudinally convex and equal in length to the convex portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, each side sheet also having a diagonal end equal in length and extending in the same direction as the off-set portion of each bottom sheet and each side sheet having a straight outer lateral edge.

10. In a marine craft including a pair of sheets having opposed edges, water-proof means joining said sheets at said edges comprising a bonding strip impregnated with a semi-solid, water-proof material and applied to each of said sheets adjacent to said edges, a flexible strip extending across said edges and bonded to the outer surfaces of said bonding strips, and a pair of outer rigid strips secured to and exerting pressure upon said flexible strip on each of said sheets adjacent to said edges to firmly bond said flexible strips and said bonding strip together.

11. A foldable marine craft comprising a hull formed of two symmetrical sections and including a pair of bendable bottom sheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of bendable side sheets, means flexibly joining each side sheet to a bot-v tom sheet at an outer lateral edge thereof; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight throughout its entire length except that it is excessively curved at one extremity, and having a straight outer lateral edge with a slight off-set portion adjacent one extremity and a diagonal portion extendmg from the off-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet; each of saidside sheets having a straight inner lateral edge equal in length to the outer lateral edge of said bottom sheet, and each side sheet having a diagonal end equal in length to the off-set portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, said side sheets each having a straight outer lateral edge, said bottom sheets being adapted to be longitudinally twisted in setting up the craft for'use in the water, means in the hull bearing against the inner surfaces of said bottom sheets to maintain them spread apart and to maintain the longitudinal twist in said bottom sheets, and a stern panel detachably fastened to said side and bottom sheets and transversely spanning the hull.

12. In a marine craft, a hull formed of two symmetrical sections including a pair of bendable bottom sheets and a pair of bendable side sheets; each of said bottom sheets having a substantially straight outer lateral edge, and each of said side sheets having a substantially straight inner lateral edge, said bottom sheets being adapted to be longitudinally twisted, and means in said hull bearing against the inner surfaces of said bottom sheets for maintaining a longitudinal twist in each of said bottom sheets.

13. In a marine craft, a floor-board, a seat disposable in the craft adjacent to th bow thereof; said seat including a first panel transversely spanning the hull of the craft, and a seating panel hingedly fastened to said first panel, means for removably supporting said seating panel within the craft, and means for detachably but rigidly securing said seat within the craft; said means including a notch formed in the bottom of said first panel, an extension projecting upwardly from said floor-board and fitting into said notch, and a two-legged clamp joining said first panel to said floor-board, one leg of said clamp engaging under the end of saidfioor-board and the other leg thereof being detachably fastened to said first panel.

14. A rigid or nonfolding marine craft comprising a hull formed of two symmetrical sections including a pair of bottom sheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of side sheets, means flexibly joining each side sheet to a bottom sheet at the outer lateral edges of said bottom sheets; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight for a major portion of its length but Which is slightly curved at one extremity and excessively curved at the other extremity, and having an outer lateral edge which is longitudinally convex from one end of the sheet to a point adjacent the other end thereof, said outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet having an off-set portion extending from said point and a diagonal portion extending from said oil-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet; each of said side sheets having an inner lateral edge which is longitudinally convex and equal in length to the convex portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, each side sheet also having a diagonal end equal in length and extending in the same direction as the ofi-set portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, and each side sheet having an outer lateral edge which is substantially straight throughout its length; said bottom sheets being adapted to be twisted longitudinally, means in the hull for spreading the bottom sheets apart and for maintaining the twist in said bottom sheets, and a pair of gunwale strips each fastened to a side sheet adjacent the outer lateral edge thereof as well as fastened to a portion of each bottom sheet which is contiguous to the end of the corresponding side sheet; said gunwale strips extending for th full length of the craft.

15. A rigid or nonfolding marine craft comprising a hull formed of two symmetrical sections and including a pair of bottom sheets, means flexibly joining said bottom sheets together at their inner lateral edges, a pair of side sheets, means flexibly joining each side sheet to a bottom sheet at an outer lateral edge thereof; each of said bottom sheets having an inner lateral edge which is substantially straight throughout its entire length except that it is excessively curved at one extremity, and having a straight outer lateral edge with a slight off-set portion adjacent one extremity and a diagonal portion extending from the off-set portion to the adjacent end of the sheet, each of said side sheets having a straight inner lateral edge equal in length to the outer lateral edge of the bottom sheets, and each side sheet having a diagonal end equal in length to the off-set portion of the outer lateral edge of each bottom sheet, said side sheets each having a straight outer lateral edge; said bottom sheets being adapted to be longitudinally twisted, means in the hull bearing against the inner surfaces of said bottom sheets to maintain them spread apart and to maintain the longitudinal twist in said bottom sheets, a stern panel detachably fastened to said side and bottom sheets and transversely spanning the hull, and a pair of gunwale strips each of which is fastened to one of said side sheets adjacent to the outer lateral edge thereof as well as to a portion of a contiguous bottom sheet; each of said gunwale strips extending for the full length of the craft.

CHARLES HASKELL CLARK. 

